Group sends a clear call to action to the OSD School Board and Superintendent: “No Schools Close”

December 7th, 2023

Dear Olympia School District Superintendent Murphy and School Board Directors,

On November 9, 2023, members of the Olympia community provided public comment at the Olympia School District (OSD) School Board meeting in response to the proposed closures and consolidation options provided by Western Demographics. Hundreds of current and former students, parents, grandparents, and caregivers of students were in attendance and provided comments. 100% of the comments were direct requests by the community to recognize the value and importance of our small, neighborhood schools and what they offer to our children and our community.

This sentiment has continued to be expressed through a petition started by an OSD elementary school parent, which has already gathered over 1,500 signatures. This indicates broad community concerns about the direction being taken by the school district and supports a desire for further dialogue related to budgetary measures, community feedback, and impacts on students and families.

In the weeks since the 11/9 Board meeting, many OSD elementary and middle school PTA/PTOs have organized under the umbrella of OSD4ALL: OSD For All. We are building a community and are continuing to foster unity and momentum in support of our schools. We want to work with you, not against you! We are ready to serve as a key partner of the OSD School Board and Superintendent in finding options to solve our budgetary shortfalls without having to close schools.

In our discussions, we have found the process undertaken by Western Demographics and subsequent work sessions led by the OSD School Board:

• Has been incomplete by only pursuing school consolidation as the budgetary solution.

• Has resulted in putting our most vulnerable populations at the greatest risk:  low-income, neuro-divergent, ESL and non-English speaking immigrant families.

• Has not considered all available data on predicted growth and enrollment; and,

• Has not sufficiently considered the short and long-term effects of school closures on our most important community members - our children.

We ask that you slow down the process by immediately pausing the decision to close and consolidate schools for the 2024-2025 school year and allow for a more thorough budget and enrollment growth analysis that: 

1. Considers all available enrollment and growth projections data including but not limited to Thurston Regional Planning Council projections and OSPI updated enrollment growth trends;

2. Presents the community budget options that do not close schools or reduce services and programs;

3. Enables greater community engagement including parents and caregivers of those who could be most impacted by proposed school closures and consolidations; and,

4. Allows the debate to be had by the newly seated school board in 2024.

We request that on December 14th, the OSD School Board make a public announcement that the OSD will not be pursuing school closures for the 2024-2025 school year opting instead for a broader assessment of options to address the budget deficit that will be vetted through significant public engagement.

We stand prepared to support this broader assessment and public engagement. Let us work with you!

Sincerely,

Boston Harbor Elementary School PTA
Centennial Elementary School Booster Club
Garfield Elementary School PTO
Hansen Elementary School PTO
Jefferson Middle School Student Services Organization
LP Brown Elementary School PTO
Lincoln Elementary School Community Council
Madison Elementary School PTO
McKenny Elementary School PTO
McLane Elementary School PTSO
ORLA PTO
Pioneer Elementary School PTA
Reeves Middle School PTA
Roosevelt Elementary School PTA
Washington Middle School PTO